Why we don't speak in tongues in church

Main message: The pastor explains why Sandals Church avoids public speaking in tongues: corporate worship should be intelligible so it builds up the church and reaches people who are new to faith. He appeals to the Apostle Paul's instruction that understandable speech serves others and convicts non-believers.

Key points:

• Public tongues are avoided because language's purpose in worship is mutual understanding, not private ecstatic speech.
• The pastor prefers a few understandable words that help others over many words in an unknown language.
• He recounts a guest preacher who spoke in tongues and how that upset him, especially in a service with many newcomers.
• Concern for reaching people who have never been to church: don’t add confusing practices that could alienate them.
• Cites the Apostle Paul’s teaching that when unbelievers are present, prophetic/understandable speech will reveal God's presence and convict people.

Scriptures mentioned: 1 Corinthians 14:19